Police searching for missing Polish farmhand find body in shallow grave day after her brother is discovered hanged

Police searching for a missing Polish farmhand have found a body concealed in a shallow grave, police said today.

Mother-of-one Danuta Domagalska, 27, went missing a fortnight ago from New Moor Farm, Walworth Gate, near Darlington, County Durham.

Her brother Piotr Lawniczak, 31, went missing after she disappeared and his body was found hanging in woods on Wednesday.

Danuta Domagalska at work before she went missing more than a week ago

Inspector Paul Etherington, of Durham Police, said: "We can confirm that late yesterday afternoon, specialist police search teams found the body of a female concealed in a shallow grave close to the farm."

Inspector Etherington added: 'The body has been recovered by police and forensic specialist officers, and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where a post-mortem was carried out overnight by a Home Office pathologist.

'The cause of death for the female has not been confirmed at this time.'

The body has not been formally identified and may not be for a few days.

Mrs Domagalska lived with her husband Marcin on an estate cottage at New Moor Farm where they both worked. Her brother also lived there.

Police search teams look in farmland after the disappearance of Danuta Domagalska

An unidentified body has been found in a shallow grave on the outskirst of a dairy farm

She was described as a popular, hard-working and friendly member of staff at the dairy farm which also operates a successful ice cream business.

Her failure to attend work caused owners John and Susan Archer concern and so they questioned the two men in the cottage.

Leading the investigation: Detective Superintendent Adrian Green of Durham Police

Mr Lawniczak, who had a better command of English, had explained to his brother-in-law that his sister was working long hours.

But the owners were not happy with the explanation and called in police.

By the time officers arrived, Mr Lawniczak had vanished and appeals were made for him to come forward. His body was found hanging in dense woodland.

The search for Mrs Domagalska continued with specialists draining slurry pits and ponds.

Inspector Etherington said: 'The police investigation led by Detective Superintendent Adrian Green is still very much ongoing surrounding the tragic events that have occurred at New Moor Farm over the last two weeks.'

The detective is expected to release more details tomorrow.

The couple have a five-year-old son Kuba, who is being cared for by relatives in Poland. He was due to start school next month.

Mr Lawniczak was the father of a two-year-old boy, Wiktor, who is with his mother Ewelina in their home near Kalisz.

Siblings: Danuta Domagalska (left) and her brother Piotr Lawniczak (right), who disappeared after Danuta did

By the time officers arrived, Mr Lawniczak had vanished and appeals were made for him to come forward. His body was found hanging in dense woodland.

The search for Mrs Domagalska continued with specialists draining slurry pits and ponds.

Inspector Etherington said: 'The police investigation led by Detective Superintendent Adrian Green is still very much ongoing surrounding the tragic events that have occurred at New Moor Farm over the last two weeks.'

The detective is expected to release more details tomorrow.

The couple have a five-year-old son Kuba, who is being cared for by relatives in Poland. He was due to start school next month.

Mr Lawniczak was the father of a two-year-old boy, Wiktor, who is with his mother Ewelina in their home near Kalisz.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 0345 6060 365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The experts: Specialists in searching water from neighbouring Northumbria Police were called in to join the hunt